Machine for filling receptacles.



2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Pafp ented Apr. 27

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, I914.

MACHINE FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES.

' J. F. 'GEYER.

MACHINE FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES. APPLICATION FILED gas. 24, 1914.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

JOHN F. GEYER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG NOR T0 ROBERT J. PURDY,

JOHN MOMAHON, AND SAMUEL WALTER. HUMPHREYS, ALL OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, TRADING AS COLONIAL GONSERVE C0.

.MAGHINE FOR FILLING RE CEPTACLES.

ply and delivery of a measured quantity of materialto the respective receptacles.

It has for a further object to provide a measuring device having a receiving chamber or chambers of predetermined volume corresponding to the volume of the receptacle or receptacles to befilled.

It also has for an object to provide a means for holding an excess of material-after the measuring device has been filled, which means permits a variation in the quantity of measured material according to requirements.

My invention has for a further object to provide a conveyer mechanism for the receptacle or receptacles to be filled, which mechanism is controlled by a step-.by-step device so arranged as to alternately produce a long and short movement to the conveyer.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafterfully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at pres-' ent preferred by me, since the same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention isnot limited to the precise ar rangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings :Figure 1 represents aside elevation of an automatic receptacle filling machine embodying my ininvention; Fig. 2 represents a plan of a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

Application filed February 24, 1914. Serial No. 820,439.

portion of the conveyer actuating-means;

nected together and forming supports for y a. pair of tracks 3 which are preferably. located adjacent the top of the aforesaid frame members. As here shown, the tracks are formed of angle iron, though it will be understood that various types of tracks may be employed and I. do not desire tow be limited to the specific construction here shown. These tracks 3 form supports and guides for a plurality of containers 4-, each of which is disposed transversely of the machine and has its ends resting upon the said tracks, so that by providing suitable means for feeding the containers, they may travel from one end of the machine to the other. This means, preferably, consists of a pair of endless conveyer chains 5 spaced apart a suitable distance and passing around the sprockets 6 which are respectively mounted for rotation upon the driven shafts 7 journaled in the end frames 2. At suitable intervals throughout the length of the conveyer chains, I provide outwardly projecting lugs or pushers 8 which are adapted to contact with the'respective containers 4 and thus transmit movementof the conveyer to these containers. Motion is transmitted to the conveyer 5 by a mechanism which is actuated intermittently through the medium of a ratchet wheel 9 having the teeth 10 arranged alternately av short distance apart and a comparatively long distance apart, the object being to first give the conveyer 5 a surface movement of comparatively short duration followed by a surface movement of longer duration, all of which will be more clearly brought out in connection with the later description.

11 designates a pawl for engaging and op erating the ratchet wheel car ried by one end ed in the frames 1 and receives its motion,

by way of the gear 17 and pinion 18, from the counter-shaft 19, which latter is driven by the gear 20 and pinion 21 from the main driven shaft 22.

23 and 24 designate respectively the driven and loose pulleys on the shaft 22; 25 is the belt and 26 the belt shifter, all of which is of ordinary construction and may be varied to suit requirements.

27 designates a slotted cam mounted to rotate with the shaft 1T6'and receiving the cam roller 28 which is carried by one end of the lever 29, the latter being pivoted at 30 to a suitable fixed part such as the frames 1 and having its opposite end suitably connected to a slide valve mechanism by the link 31. The slide valve mechanism is mounted for reciprocating movement upon the transverse plate 32 supported by the frames 1 and provided with a plurality of openings 33, preferably arranged in parallel rows so spaced apart asto bring each row'into the same vertical plane as the row of receptacles 34 located beneath the plate 32. The openings 33 are likewise spaced apart so that each opening is alined with or above the interior of a receptacle 34 of the row below. These openings are adapted to discharge asuitable fluid into the respeetive receptacles 34 and to facilitate the "flow and more accurately direct the liquid I have provided each opening 33 with a nozzle 35 depending below the plate and terminating in -close proximity to the open end of the adjacent receptacle. The slide valve mechanism consists in the present instance, of a measuring device 36 subdivided b longitudinal and transverse partitions 3! into a plurality of chambers 38, there being preferably the same number of chambers as vthere are openings in the plate 32, this number 'also representing the number of receptacles which are to be simultaneously filled. Each chamber 38 serves to supply. a measured or predeterminedquantity of liquid, and therefore naturally bears a direct relation to the cubic content of the respective receptacles. The floor of each of the chambers 38-is substantially cone-shaped or downwardly tapered as shown at 39 and converges to a discharge opening 40 through the bottom of the measuring device 36. It will be noted that the openings 40 are arranged in a corresponding manner to the rows of openings 32 and are adapted, in one position of the measuring device 36, to aline with the openings 32 whereby the contents of the chambers 38 may be discharged,

in the reservoir 45.

while in another position of the measuring device 36 communication between the two sets of openings is cut off.

41 designates the top plate of the slide valve-member provided with a plurality of openings suitably arranged in sets corresponding to the chambers 38, as follows: As here shown the portion of the plate 41 forming the top of each chamber 38 is provided with an opening 42, substantially central thereof, at one side of which is a port 43 and upon the opposite side a second port 44. Thus each compartment has means of communication through the top plate 41 by way of an opening 42 and the ports 43 and 44, the function of which will later appear.

45 designates a tank serving as a filling reservoir, the bottom of which is formed by a plate 46 having rows of openings 47 therein corresponding in number to the number of chambers 38, and each opening being located in alinement with one of the said chambers.

48 designates a plurality of holes through the bottom plate 46, and each receiving a pipe 49 which extends upwardly well with- There are, therefore, as many pipes 49 as there are openings 48, and each is of a, length sufiicient to extend above the normal level of the liquid in the reservoir 45. In view of the fact that the casing 36 reciprocates beneath the plate 46 and in contact therewith, so as to open and close the discharge openings 47 it will be apparent that it is preferable to provide a means to prevent leakage through the joint formed by these two parts, and for this purpose I have, in the present instance, employed the following construction. Normally, the bottom of the tank 45 rests upon the plate 41 of the measuring device 36, and is held against lateral displacement by means of suitable bolts 50 which pass through cars ,51 on the plate 46, and also through ears or lugs 52 projecting from the longitudinally disposed sides 53 of the plate 32, this latter member being substantially channel-shaped as will be understood. It will further be noted that the vertical dimension of the side members 53 is slightly less than the height of the measuring device 36 in order to leave a slight clearance between the bottom plate 46 and the side members to permit the former to contact directly with the top plate 41 where it is held in close yielding relation, by suitable springs 54, carried upon the bolts 50.

55 designates the main liquid reservoir or source of supply, having its outlet 56 over the open end of the tank 45, and controlled by a valve 57 attached to the float lever filled and maintained at the normal level. It will further be noticed that the float 60 is adjustably connected to the lever 58 so that its position relative to the level of the contents of the tank may be varied as desired, and thereby afford a means to vary the liquid level within the tank to suit conditions. In this manner, the excess of liquid in the tubes 49 may be regulated with exactness and permit a predetermined measured quantity of the liquid to be discharged from the respective compartments 38. present instance the adjustment of the float is made by providing the said float with a stem 66 which passes through a suitable fitting 67 carried by the lever 58. A thumb screw 68 is employed in connection with the fitting 67 to fasten the stem 66 in the desired adjusted position, thus providing a means for varying the position of the float.

so that the level of the liquid is changed at will. y

62 designates a cut-off plate provided with a plurality of ports 63 therein corresponding in number to the openings 33 and adapted to aline respectively with said openings to permit the free discharge of the liquid at the required time. The plate 62 is mounted for sliding movement in suitable brackets or guide members 64 and is connected by a link or connecting rod 65 to the operating lever 29, so that the said cut-off plate 62 is reciprocated synchronously with the sliding valve mechanism, and consequently opens the discharge outlets 33 at the proper time and cuts them off as soon as the compartments 38 have been emptied and the valve mechanism is returning to a filling position.

The function of the plate 62 is primarily to cut off the drip or residue of liquid in the openings 33, and this cut-oif, as will be noted, is arranged to operate alternately with the discharge of the measuring devices.

In the operation of the machine the containers 4, each carrying a suitable number of rows of receptacles to be filled, are placed successively on the conveyer mechanism at one end of the machine and removed at the opposite end-after the automatic filling operation has been completed. It will be understood that a step-by-step movement is communicated to the conveyer 5 by the ratchet movement 9 which is so timed as to give the longest surface movement to the conveyer when one of the containers 4 is in position to enter the machine proper andthis movement, in the present construction, results in the container taking a position beneath the plate 32 with two rows of receptacles alined .with the rows of nozzles 35. When the parts are thus positioned 'the cam 27-actuates the lever 29 to shift the measuring device 36 to bring the openings 40 respectively into alinement with the openings 33. Simultaneously the top plate ports 43 In the. i

, tents of the several chambers, and the dis charge of such contents is in a measure accelerated by the static head of liquid in the respective pipes 49. The conveyer remains stationary while the chambers are being emptied, and until the receptacles 34 are properly filled, when the ratchet mechanism produces the short length movement of the conveyer and brings other rows of receptacles into position to be filled. While the container 4 is moving to a new position, the measuring device 36 shifts to the opposite end of the stroke, thus bringing the openings 42 and 47 into alinement and the ports 44 into similar relation with the respective pipes 49. In this position the liquid may feed by gravity into the compartments 38 while the air escapes by way of the pipes 49 which are of course finally also filled with liquid to the level of the main body of liq uid in the tank 45. In connection with the columns of liquid contained in the respec- 9 "tive pipes 49, it will be noted that by varycompartments'38 may each be of a size to contain a quantity of liquid having substantially the volume of the average size receptacle, and variations in the size of the receptacles within reasonable limit may be taken care of by proportioning the liquid level in the tank 45 to vary the column lengths. For example, in the construction which I have shown as a preferred form, the volume of the chambers 38 is suflicient to supply enough liquid to fill say, seven-eighths of each receptacle, While the remaining eighth is supplied by the respective columns of liquid contained in the pipes 49.

It will now be apparent that I have de vised a complete unitary automatic filling device for receptacles, wherein a measured quantity of liquid material accurately proportioned with respect to the contents volume of the receptacle or receptacles to be filled, and which measured quantity is controlled so that the measuringgdevices are emptied at the proper time in the cycle of operation, namely, when" the receptacles have been automatically placed in receiving position. It will be noted also that while I have shown no packing in connection with the moving parts controlling the flow of material, I have deemed this unnecessary as the material preferably used with the machine is of a more or less viscous nature, and I have found by mounting the tank in a yielding manner, that the joint between the parts is so accurately controlled that there is little or no leakage. It will of course be understood, however, that various changes may be made in the specific details of my construction, and I do not consider myself limited to the. precise arrangement of parts here shown, nor do I wish it understood that the use of packing is not com prehended by the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the character stated, a tank provided with means to permit the discharge of the contents thereof, in combinationrwith a measuring device having a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet for said contents, a valve mechanism adapted to alternately control said inlet and said outlet, means to actuate said valve mechanism, means adapted to connnunicate with said chamber to receive an excess su ply of said contents and means to vary t e level of the tank contents whereby said excess supply may be varied at will.

2. In a machine of the character stated, a tank provided with means to permit the discharge of the contents thereof, in combination with a measuring device having a plurality of chambers, each chamber being provided with an inlet and an outlet for said contents, a valve mechanism adapted to alternately control said inlet and said outlet,

means adapted to communicate with each chamber to receive an excess supply of said contents and means to vary the level of the tank contents whereby said excess supply may be varied at will.

3. In a machine of the character stated, a tank provided with means to permit the discharge of the contents thereof, in combination with a measuring device having a plurality of chambers each chamber being provided with an inlet andan outlet for said contents, a plate for supporting said measuring device having a plurality of openings therein, adapted in certain positions of said measuring device to alinc with the respective chamber outlets, means to reciprocate said measuring device to alternately control the inlets and outlets for said chambers, means adapted to communicate with each chamber to form an air vent therefor said means being controlled by the movement of said measuring device, and intermittently operated means to cut 0d the flow of the drip from said measuring device. I

4. In a machine of the character stated,-a

tank provided with a plurality of outlets to permit the discharge of the tank contents in combination with a measuring device for reciprocating said reciprocable having a plurality of chambers, each chamher being provided with an inlet and an out let for said contents, a plate forming a support for said measuring device, and having a plurality of openings therein, means to reciprocate said measuring device to alternately bring said chamber inlets respec .rality of pipes respectively located adjacent said opemngs and having unobstructed communication with the atmosphere, a recipro cable frame containing a plurality of measuring compartments and located beneathsaid tank and said compartments provided with inlets 1 and outlets and also passages adapted in a certain position of said measuring devices to aline with the respective air pipes to permit the escape of air in filling and entrance of air where discharging, a drip cut oil plate mounted for sliding movement beneath said reciprocable frame having the measuring compartments and having a plurality of openin s adapted in discharging positions of said measuring compartments to respectively al-ine with the outlets thereof, andcommon means for reciprocating said reciprocable frame containing the measuring compartments and said drip plate in timed relation, said means being also arranged to move said drip plate relative to said reciprocable frame whereby the drip is automatically cut oil".

6. In a device of the character stated, the combination of a tank having a plurality of discharge openings in the bottom,a plurality of pipes secured to the bottom of said tank and respectively adjacent said openings, said pipes extending above the level of a liquid in said tank to form a passage for air through the bottom of the tank, a reciprocable frame having a plurality of measuring compartments located respectively below the tank discharge openings all of said measuring compartments being arranged to move rectilinearly together across the bottom of said tank and each of said compartments having a plurality of openings in the top thereof adapted to aline with the respective tank discharge openings and the air pipes, and the bottom of each compartment having a discharge opening means rams in timed relation for alternately filling and discharging said measuring compartments,

memes o liquiol supply suitably loeateol to c'ieliver liquid to said tank, float oontrolleel means for controlling said supply, and means to adjust the position of said float to vary the =2 liquid level in the tank 'Whereby the normal quantity of liquid in said air pipes at time of measuring may be varied. at will .to definitely proportion the quantity of liquid in unto set my hanol.

JOHN F. GEYER. Witnesses:

R. M. HUNTER, HORACE D. Rnmvn. 

